27.7.11

LRM-100 roadmap published and LRM-W announced

2120 will be the entry into service date for the DDS' interstellar ballistic missile the LRM-100, which will have a 100 light year range. The DDS have published a preliminary roadmap for development of the weapon system which will be a rival to the HCS' CSM (though that is already in service). Work on the boost phase is already in process with a commercial rocket being used as the template. The DDS aim to start launch tests in 2113 with the boost phase cleared for service by 2116.

The space stage will be a new UCV and will derive from work on existing superluminal UCVs. The DDS aim to begin flight testing of the space stage in 2115. Work on the first silos is expected to begin in 2118 with the final tests of LRM-100 and an entry into service by the end of the decade. The location of the first silos is as yet undecided though Liberation would strategically be the best location as missiles there would be able to strike any part of the Clone Star Empire. Silos on Proxima 7 are also expected as these would be able to reach much of the DTA.

The DDS say that in the next decade they will develop a follow-on version of LRM with worm drive (LRM-100 is expected to have a speed of around 500c) called LRM-W though gave no further details. It is known that a 250 light year ranged version of LRM is also being considered.